FODC Watershed Recognized

Morgantown Dominion Post
26 November 2011

The Friends of Deckers Creek (FODC) has been named one of two state Watershed Associations of the Year for 2011. They share the honor with the Coal River Group.

The awards were presented by the West Virginia Watershed Network for their efforts in protecting and restoring local watersheds. The presentations were made at the Nov. 5 Watershed Celebration Day.

The two were named to the group’s highest honor because they have shown outstanding progress that has contributed greatly to watershed restoration efforts.

FODC has a growing membership of 391 and a volunteer and outreach mailing base of nearly 1,700. Financial and in-kind support provided by the community not only provides the funding FODC needs, but also finances community events, environmental education efforts and its long-standing water chemistry and biological community monitoring program.

This year’s activities include the annual Spring Meltdown, the 2011 Deckers Creek Adventure Race, completion of the State of the Creek Report, a study of sediment pollution and an assessment of stream health.

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and FODC used the Outdoor Learning Park for an AMD & Art Workshop and a Water & Wildlife Workshop. The YAB has designed and planted a community stewardship garden, and hosted benthic workshops with summer programs and local schools.

FODC secured partners and funding to install two lime dosers on the headwaters of Kanes Creek to protect more than two miles of stream and help restore an 8.5 acre impoundment to support fish and different kinds of recreation.